Vols. for 1994-1995 distributed to depository libraries in microfiche.

General Note:

Special "80th anniversary supplement" issue published on Aug. 12, 1994.

General Note:

Special ed. for 65th anniversary of the Panama Canal issued at end of Oct. 1979, is also a joint issue with: The News: authorized unofficial publication of the U.S. Armed Forces, Quarry Heights, Panama, and includes the text of the Panama Canal Act.

By Susan Harp
"Starboard twenty," the pilot-in-train-
ing calls out to the cadet holding the wheel
of the Panama Canal Commission training
ship Atlas. The cadet responds by repeat-
ing the command and turning the ship's
helm 20 degrees to the right. The two pilot
trainees are practicing holding the vessel
at a certain mark along the centerwall at
Miraflores Locks during a training ses-
sion. As thechamber ahead of them begins
to empty, 26 million gallons of water rushes
out of culverts in the side wall, deflects off
the centerwall and, like a cue ball zigzag-
ging across a pool table, flows neatly
around the Atlas without disturbing its
position. "We are learning the tricks of the
trade," comments pilot-in-training Capt.
Alberto A. Echevers, explaining that the
position and angle of the vessel allows
them to hold steady despite the turbulence
around them.
The group of five pilots-in-training,
along with 10 seamen, four deck cadets
and four engine cadets from the Panama
Nautical School
and Panama Canal
Commission per-
sonnel assigned to
theAtlas, have been
maneuvering since
before dawn in the
Pacific Canal en-
trance. At 8 a.m.
they picked up yet
another group of
students pilots
and Transit Opera-
tions Division per-
sonnel taking a
class in how to use
the Canal's new
satellite-based na-
vigation system.
All are benefiting
from hands-on
training offered by
thePanamaCanal's
Maritime Training
Branch, which be-
gan using theAtlas
for training opera-
tions in May after
refurbishing it.
Maritime Train-
ing Branch Man-
ager Capt. Orlando
Allard explains that
the Atlas provides
training for tow-

boat mates, mate trainees, pilot understud-
ies (PUPs), pilots-in-training (PITs) and
Nautical School students and will serve as
a floating base for Canal fire fighting and
emergency response exercises. In just 15
weeks of operation, 204 trainees have at-
tended classes. "We are also excited about

Students from

the Canal agency,

Panama Nautical

School benefit.

the Apprentice School developing train-
ing modules and participating in on-board
training as well," said Allard.
Built by the Canal agency's Mechani-
cal Division in 1934, the Atlas originally
served as a crane boat. For over 60 years,
it moved locks towing locomotives, posi-
tioned channel markers, placed dredging

Nautical crafts
Panama Canal
Commission Bosun
Anselmo Green, center,
instructs Panama
Nautical School seamen
how to splice a line on
board the training vessel
"Atlas." From left are
seamen Irving Castillo,
Franco Reyes, Eloy
Nuiiez, bosun Green,
Carlos Barrera, Elvis
Myer and Giovanni
Moreno. The seamen
learn deck skills during
six-week internships on
board the training vessel
as part of their
curriculum.

Photos by:

Armando De Gracia

Ship handling skills
Panama Canal pilot Capt. Vic Faulkner, left, describes how to correctly approach a
landing to pilots-in-training Victor Vega, at the controls ofthe training vessel "Atlas, "
and Pedro Coiduras. The ship provides hands-on experience for pilots studying to
qualify for their first license to pilot ships up to 225feet in length through the Panama
Canal.

pipe and lifted locks equipment in service
to the waterway. Today, its crane has been
removed and continues to serve the Canal
on board the new crane boat Oceanus.
Capt. Allen R. Briem is in charge of the
Atlas, which is also manned by chief-engi-
neer-in-charge Jaime Mateu, chief engi-
neer Juan Carballo, bosun Anselmo Green
and five oilers on rotating watches. Briem,
a former Canal tugboat captain with eight
additional years experience as the South-
ern Towboat District manager and Fleet
manager, also oversaw the rehabilitation
of the vessel at the Industrial Division and
by Panama Nautical School seamen and
cadets, who performed a large percentage
of the overhaul work and now perform
most of the vessel's upkeep.
The seamen and cadets live on board
the Atlas for six weeks under the watchful
eye of bosun Green; it is their only hands-
on experience before graduating. They
learn everything from chipping and paint-
ing to handling the lines during maneu-
vers. Well-scrubbed decks and orderly
equipment are evidence of their labors.
When asked about his first experience han-

dling the lines during a lockage, seaman
Sim6n Smith said, "At first we were ner-
vous, but we picked up experience with
the bosun's help."
Following traditional nautical style, nei-
ther Green nor training pilot Capt. Vic
Faulkner sugarcoats his comments as they
train the students. With 25 years of expe-
rience navigating the waterway, Faulkner
knows all the ins and outs of Canal waters.
"We practice things that allow pilots to
build a "bag of tricks" of knowledge that
gives them a choice of backup systems
under changing conditions," he com-
mented.
The PUPs and PITs spend at least 30
days training on the Atlas before earning
their first license to pilot ships up to 225-
feet-long through the waterway. They
practice anchoring, docking, nighttime
navigation lockages and emergency pro-
cedures. Pilot-in-training Capt. Jos6 Nilo
Miranda commented, "We spend time
practicing things we wouldn't normally
do on a ship transiting the Canal. You
can't ask a commercial ship to stop and let
you drop its anchor."

Page 2

Friday. September 11. 1998

The Panama Canal Spillway

Aleman Zubieta sworn in as

Canal Authority Administrator

Will concurrently hold position of Administrator for

two agencies until noon on December 31, 1999

Panama Canal Commission Administra-
tor Alberto Alemin Zubieta, 47, was sworn
in September 3 as the first Administrator of
the Panama Canal Authority, the Panama
government agency that will replace the
Panama Canal Commission on December
31, 1999, and assume the administration and
operation of the Canal. The appointment is
for a seven-year term.
"All share the same commitment to the
nation, not only for the present, but also for
future generations," said Alemin Zubieta
upon taking office.
Aleman Zubieta will serve concurrently
as administrator of both agencies until noon
December 31, 1999, when ownership of the
Panama Canal will be transferred from the
Unites States to Panama under the Panama
Canal Treaty. After that date, the Panama
Canal Commission, the U.S. federal agency
currently charged with the administration
and operation of the waterway, will cease to
exist.
Praising the work Alemin Zubieta has
accomplished as Canal Administrator,
Panama Minister for Canal Affairs Jorge E.
Ritter, who also serves as chairman of the
Panama Canal Authority Board of Direc-
tors, said, "As Panamanians, we are very
proud of the job he is doing." Ritter added,
"He will be charged with the historical task
of heading the Canal at the time it is trans-
ferred to Panama, and I am certain all Pana-
manians feel the responsibility could not be
in better hands."

Alemin Zubieta has been the Panama
Canal Commission Administrator since
August 18, 1996. In that capacity, he over-
sees the day-to-day management and opera-
tion of the Panama Canal.
In support of the transition process, last
year the U.S. Congress passed special legis-
lative amendments allowing Aleman Zubieta
to accept an appointment from the Panama-
nian government while still serving a U.S.
government agency.
Under Aleman Zubieta's administration,
the Panama Canal Commission has imple-
mented a $1 billion modernization and im-
provement program that includes the widen-
ing of Gaillard Cut. Once completed, Canal
capacity will increase by 20 percent and the
quality of services to world shipping will be
enhanced. Alemin Zubieta has also led a
corporate reorganization process to stream-
line the agency and increase productivity,
while strengthening ties with Canal custom-
ers.
Prior to his appointment at the Canal in
1996, Alemin Zubieta was president and
chief executive officer of Constructora Ur-
bana, S.A., one of Panama's largest con-
struction companies. In 1995 and 1996, he
chaired the Blue Ribbon Engineering Com-
mittee that audited a U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers study on Canal infrastructure and
installations. He has served as director of
the Panama Chamber of Construction
(CAPAC), Panama Society of Engineers
and Architects and Panama Southern Rotary
Club. In 1992, he received the William Ross
medal, the highest distinction given by the
Panama Chamber of Construction, in recog-
nition of his professional achievements, lead-
ership and organizational skills.
The Panama Canal Authority Board of
Directors is composed of eleven members,
ten of them appointed by the President of
Panama and one by the Legislative Assem-
bly. They include, in addition to Ritter,
Emanuel Gonzalez Revilla; Rail Mon-
tenegro V.; Roberto Roy; Mois6s Mizrachi;
Fernando Cardoze Fibrega; Luis Anderson;
Samuel Lewis N.; Adolfo Ahumada; Eloy
Alfaro, Panama's Ambassador to the United
States; and Abel Rodriguez, who represents
the Panama Legislative Assembly.

Presidential visit Photo by Jaime Yau
Panama President Ernesto Perez Balladares welcomes Chile President Eduardo Frei as he
arrives at the Miraflores Locks Visitor's Center on September 4. Looking on are Panama
First Lady Dora Boyd de Pirez Balladares and Canal Affairs Minister and Panama Canal
Authority Board Chairman Jorge E. Ritter. Frei visited Panama to sign several agreements
with the Panama government and attend the XII Rio Group Summit, held in Panama
September 3 through 5.

Labor Day Message

Last Monday, we celebrated the annual tribute to the contribution workers have made to
the strength, prosperity and well being of nations and to the accomplishments of the United
States' labor movement. In commemorating this special occasion, I have reflected on my
experience as Administrator of this agency and the significant accomplishments we have
made over the past two years. Without exception, the dedication, quality and commitment
of the work force have been major factors in our success.
We are making history with the transferof stewardship of the Canal from the United States
to the Republic of Panama. As with any important event, change is involved, and while
change presents challenges, it also presents opportunities. Let all of us take advantage of these
opportunities to demonstrate to the people of Panama, the United States, and to the world that
we are up to the challenge. Let the world see that not only will the Canal continue to operate
effectively, but that it is being transformed into a model of efficiency worthy of emulation.
No one person or group can do this alone. Thus, we must always strive to do it together.
For the last few years, the National Partnership Council, along with the thousands of
workers who actually make partnerships happen, have been working hard to change the
culture of Federal labor-management relations and to use partnership to champion change and
transform agencies into organizations capable of delivering the highest quality services,
while working better and costing less. In the Canal, through partnership we have successfully
worked together in important projects such as the drafting of the Organic Law of the Panama
Canal Authority, last year's agency reorganization, and the development of an alternative
impasse resolution procedure. Similar efforts are now underway with the implementation of
the results of the manpower and process improvements study. Other opportunities for
partnership will occur in the future as we move forward into the next millennium and a new
chapter in the history of both the Canal and Panama.
On the occasion of another Labor Day, the Deputy Administrator and I want to reaffirm
our commitment to strengthening labor-management relations in the Commission and to
jointly dealing with issues of vital importance for the transition. I foresee a bright future for
the Canal and its work force as we have the opportunity to be not only an important world
waterway, but also part of one of the world's most important centers of transportation and
maritime services.

Alberto Alemdn Zubieta
Administrator

Joseph W. Cornelison
Deputy Administrator

Labor-Management Partnership Council column

Concerns about transition process addressed

This column was created to answer questions, rumors or
concerns that employees may have on the transition process
and its impact on the workforce and other issues. Readers
may submit questions to any representative of the Labor-
Management Partnership Council or directly to the Spill-
way editor.

Question: What is the status of the separation incentives
(next implementation stage, new incentives contemplated,
etc.)?
A determination as to the number of employees who will
be offered a transition separation incentive will be made
after the recommendations of the U.S. Army Manpower
Analysis Agency (USAMAA) Manpower and Process Im-
provement Study are reviewed and decided upon. That
process is currently underway. The Commission is only
authorized to offer the separation incentive during October
1 through December 31, 1998. The agency does not have the
authority to offer any other type of separation incentive.
Question: How will temporary employees be affected
with the results of the manpower study and after 1999?

The utilization and management of temporary employ-
ees received considerable attention during the conduction of
the Manpower and Process Improvement Study. Some
temporary positions were not validated by USAMAA and
these recommendations are being processed by the Canal
Restructuring Team (CRT) for eventual submission to the
Administrator for a decision.
Those encumbered positions that are identified for termi-
nation as a result of insufficient work load will be studied to
determine when the positions will terminate, and what can
be done to assist the incumbents. The CRT has been tasked
to develop a program to make this assistance timely and
relevant.
As the study recommendations are processed, a system
to more closely align temporary jobs and projects is under
development. The utilization of "term employment" with a
definite completion date based on project planning is antici-
pated to be the basic building block of future programs.
Persons in temporary positions that are validated by the
study and which are related to projects that will continue
beyond 1999 can expect to be offered temporary appoint-

ments by the Panama Canal Authority (PCA) to continue in
those positions for the duration of the project.
Question: There is much talk about salaries for employ-
ees who retire from PCC and get re-hired by the PCA.
Rumors are pretty consistent in saying that the PCA
plans to pay re-hired employees the difference between
their retirement pay and their job salary (minus 15
percent for U.S. citizens.) Supposedly this meets the
"similar conditions" of the Organic Law. What does
PCC know about these plans?
Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and Federal
Employees Retirement System (FERS) annuitants who are
re-employed with the U.S. Federal Government may be paid
only the difference between their monthly annuity and the
pay of the position to which they are appointed. This is a
legal requirement applicable only to U.S. Government em-
ployment, in order to avoid dual compensation by the U.S.
Government. This provision is not applicable to the PCA
and, as such, CSRS and FERS retirees who continue em-
ployment with the PCA will be paid the full salary of the
position they hold.

Page 3

_

The Panama Canal Spillway

Friday, September 11, 1998

Locks maintenance and repair work

completed at Pedro Miguel, Gatun

By Susan Harp
With the help of Maintenance and
Dredging division personnel, Panama Ca-
nal Commission Locks Division workers
completed ten days of dry chamber main-
tenance and repair work in the east lanes at
Gatun and Pedro Miguel locks August 27.
At Pedro Miguel Locks, personnel re-
placed 18 cylindrical valves and all rising
stem valves in the centerwall culvert and
converted four rising stem valves to the
sliding type. They also inspected and
repaired four sections of locks tow track
and the concrete sills that form seals for
the miter gates on the floor of the locks
chamber. They also installed two inter-
mediate miter gates that had been over-
hauled.
Locks workers at Gatun replaced 780
feet of locks tow track on the east side
wall, began revamping the cathodic pro-
tection system on all the gates in the east
lane and performed intensive preventative
maintenance on six towing locomotives.

Advisors
Panama Canal Commission
officials receive advice from
International Maritime
Organization (IMO)
officials on the creation of
the Panama Canal Institute.
In the photo are, from left,
Employee and Management
Development Branch
Manager Rodolfo J.
Lammie; IMO Institution
Training Support official
Dr. Moustafa Aziz; acting
Business Development
Division Manager Walter
Luchsinger, standing;
Development and Implemen-
tation Branch Manager Rail
Guizado; and Maritime
Training Branch Manager
Capt. Orlando Allard. In
order to further develop the
Canal workforce, the Canal
agency maintains a special
interest in offering training
programs, which utilize
advanced technology and
the Canal's vast resources,
to local and regional
markets.

They also began preparing to receive two
miter gates that are currently being over-
hauled at the Industrial Division and will
be rehung in October. Preparations in-
cluded using hydraulic jacks instead of
explosives to remove the hollow quoin
plates (long, narrow strips of metal) from
the locks walls. It was the first time the
method had been used at the locks, and,
according to locks maintenance manager
Jorge Vasquez, the procedure was safer
and did not require the precautions associ-
ated with explosives. He said, "This time
we removed the plates without having to
move workers from the site or delay ships
because there was no hazard of using ex-
plosives."
More dry chamber work is scheduled
for the east lane at Gatun Locks from
September 21 through October 2 and will
include replacing another 780 feet of tow
track, repairing rising stem valves and
making further preparations for hanging
the refurbished miter gates.

Canal training branch participates in national congress on maintenance

By Yira A. Flores
The Panama Canal Commission Indus-
trial and Safety Training Branch repre-
sented the Canal agency at the National
Congress on Maintenance held at the
ATLAPA Convention Center August 19
through 21. Organized by the Panama
Technological University and the Panama
Technological Foundation, the central
theme of the congress was "Maintenance
Strategies for the Modernization of Indus-
tries."
Looking ahead to the demands of the
new millennium, the congress was orga-
nized to serve as a showcase for an in-
creased focus on maintenance and to pro-
mote the development of a national plan for
the modernization of public and private
companies. The congress brought repre-
sentatives from all sectors involved in in-
stallation and equipment maintenance to-
gether through a series of tours, specialized
and general interest presentations and work-
shops on maintenance and the use of the
INTERNET to support maintenance.
The Canal Commission pavilion offered
participants an opportunity to learn about
the waterway's operation and maintenance
and to try out equipment used by the training

school to prepare Canal technicians. In
addition, mechanics supervisory training
instructor Alfredo Lou and electrical train-
ing instructor Emanuel P. Hayot, both of the
Apprentice School, made presentations on
the inspection of welding defects and elec-
trical equipment maintenance, respectively.
During the event, which was attended
by managers and technicians from various
companies, teachers, students and the gen-
eral public, ideas about strategies and com-
peting trends for the modernization of Pana-
manian companies were presented and ex-
changed, and changes in both formal and
continuing education for maintenance sys-
tems in Panama were proposed.
Some of the goals achieved by the con-
gress included updating participants on the
latest technological advances related to
maintenance, increasing national training
in technical areas, making participants
aware of the importance of the adequate
and timely use of maintenance, sharing
techniques for the application of mainte-
nance as a modernization strategy and pro-
moting the participation of young people in
the development of a new emphasis on
maintenance.

New technology Photo by Jaime Yau
Panama Canal Commission Apprentice School welding instructor Gilberto Acevedo
describes how a computerized welding simulator works to Celestin Freinet Institute
students visiting the Canal booth during the National Congress on Maintenance held
at the A TLAPA Convention Center recently. The purchase of virtual reality equipment
supports the Apprentice School's use of modern methods to teach apprentices new
welding techniques.

Page 4

Take note

Administrative personnel from
the Marcos A. Gelabert Airport in
Paitilla announced that the date for
the airport's transfer to Albrook has
been postponed indefinitely. This
note corrects information published
in the August 28, 1998, Spillway
announcing that the airport would
begin operations from the new loca-
tion on August 31, as had previ-
ously been announced.

The Gatun Locks vehicular
bridge will temporarily close to ve-
hicular traffic between 10 p.m. Sep-
tember 20 and 6 a.m. September
21. In addition, the bridge will close
between 10 p.m. October 1 and 6
a.m. October 2. The closures are
due to maintenance work being per-
formed at Gatun Locks.

- --

Friday. September 11. 1998

The Panama Canal Spillway

Danish writers visit Panama,

film adventure documentary

By Teresa Arosemena
Two famous Danish writers and a crew
made up of television producers and camera
people transited the Panama Canal recently
on their way to Coco Island, Galapagos,
Easter Island and Tahiti, among other stops.
The sailboat S/Y Nordkaperen, measuring
17 meters long and 3.8 meters wide, has
become their home and transportation for
five months.
TheNordkaperen dates back to 1905 and
has transited the Canal five times. Its captain
and owner, Troels Klovedal, is a famous
Danish writer who has published 14 books,
many of which are about his experiences at
sea. Crew member and television producer
Hanne Danielsen is working on a documen-
tary about the life and adventures of the
captain and his colleague, writer Ib Michael.
"It's the first time that I have tried to com-
bine my television knowledge with my ad-
ventures," said Danielsen.
"What is very special about this adven-
ture is that the camera people themselves make
up the crew, because the boat is so small,"
added Danielsen. As for their nautical abili-
ties, the camera people are learning to sail on
thejob, since they only had limited knowledge
before embarking. Danielsen added that they

Recognizing services
Panama CanalCommission
Occupational Health Division
Manager Dr. Maria Ana
Antoniadis presents a plaque
to San Fernando Hospital
Clinic Director Dr. Ernesto
Arosemena recognizing
services provided by the
institution to the Residential
Medical Attention Program
between January 1993 and
July 1998. The program,
administrated by the Occupa-
tional Health Division, offers
partially subsidized medical
care to a specific group of
former Canal employees of
advanced age who, at the time
of their retirement before
1970, were not eligible for
government-sponsored health
coverage. A contract for the
future administration of the
program was awarded to the
Aseguradora Mundial
company.

have to be very versatile and must know what
they are doing, because sailing theNordkaperen
is not an easy task.
They chose Panama as their first destina-
tion because of the new era developing for
the Canal. "We are trying to show Panama
to the Danish and how incredible it is to be a
tourist in Panama," said Danielsen.
The documentary and final product of
this journey will consist of a block of five
segments, and Panama will be the main
focus of one of them. Danielsen said, "In
Denmark everyone knows that the Panama
Canal exists, but we want to tell a different
story." The eight-member crew spent a day
and night at Barro Colorado Island, where
they were able to view the Canal from a new
angle. They also visited different Canal
Commission sites, including the Miraflores
Locks visitor's center, Administration Build-
ing and Maritime Traffic Control Center.
The crew was amazed by the country's
tourism potential and decided to extend their
stay. Very aware of the Canal transition to
Panamanian hands, Danielsen and her fel-
low travelers commented, "Very soon the
Canal will have a new history that will be
linked with its old one."

By Karla Stanziola
Have you ever felt tiredness, pain or
discomfort in your legs? Are you one of
those people who spends most of the day
standing? If the response to either of these
questions is "yes", you may be suffering
from a vein deficiency known as varicose
veins.
Varicose veins are lesions found espe-
cially in the superficial veins in the lower
extremities and are caused by a loss of elas-
ticity in vein walls. This deficiency doesn't
appear until adolescence and is mainly seen
in women, although men can also suffer
from it if their work requires them to spend
a great amount of time on their feet.
Women who take birth control pills are
more likely to suffer from varicose veins,
but the risk is only slightly higher. If a
woman has a tendency towards varicose
veins, it is possible for the problem to get
worse during pregnancy, since during this
time there is an increase of hormones that
relax muscles and dilate veins. Varicose
veins most commonly appear in the calf or
behind the knees.
Three types of veins are found in the leg
-superficial veins underneath the skin, deep
veins in the center of the leg and those that
connect the two. There is also a valve that
helps blood circulate adequately. If the
valve does not function correctly, blood cir-
culates in the opposite direction and accu-
mulates in the superficial veins, sometimes
causing inflamation in the process. Con-
cerns about varicose veins include the possi-
bility that complications like ulcers, hemor-

AI.BERTO AlI.MAN /ZUBIFTA
S{inintt itrutor. PIana, (Canal Comnis'iion

rhages or infections may arise.
Several treatments exist for varicose
veins, depending on the severity of the
problem. Included in these are:
Sclerotic therapy: This treatment con-
sists of injecting the veins with certain chemi-
cals (sclerotics) that destroy the vein's inter-
nal tissue. This treatment causes some dis-
comfort, since patients may spend three to
six months with bandages on their legs, and
the injections sometimes cause marks on the
skin (hematomas) that do not always disap-
pear.
Surgery: This is done with general
anesthesia and requires time in the hospital.
The veins are treated with small cuts about V2
centimeter in length. After the operation,
elastic socks should be worn for a week.
Generally, after this treatment only faintly
visible scars remain.
Recommendations for preventing the ap-
pearance of varicose veins are:
Avoid tight clothing and shoes.
Do not spend too much time sitting,
especially with crossed legs, or standing
without moving.
Bathe your legs alternately with hot
and cold water.
Control your weight with balanced
nutrition.
Practice a sport, especially swimming
or biking, and use stairs instead of elevators.
Sit and sleep with your feet slightly
elevated (10 -20 centimeters).
Give yourself foot and leg massages.

The Panama Canal Spillway is an official biweekly publication of the Panamia Canail Commission. Articles may be reprinted without further
permission by crediting the source. All material should he submitted by 1 1:45 a.m. Thursday ol the week belore publication or by I 1:45 a.m.
Wednesday if there is a holiday during the week of publication. Subscriptions for 52 issues are $6 by regular mail. $4 by regular mail for
students and $19 by airmail. Checks or money orders should be payable to the Panama Canal Commission (Call 272-3202 for further
information or write the Public Relations Division. Panama Canal Commission, Unit 23100. APO AA 34011-2300 or Balboa Heights. Panama.

Page 5

Danish crew
The eight-person crew
of the sailboat
"Nordkaperen"
includes two Danish
writers, Ib Michael,
standing at left, and
Capt. Troels Klovedal,
second from the right,
as well as producers
and camera people who
are making a documen-
tary on the lives of the
two writers and their
adventures. The one-
year-old child is the
son of Capt. Klovedal
and will accompany the
group only as far as the
Galapagos.

Photo by Kevin Jenkins

Health corner

Preventing varicose veins

~

The Panama Canal Spillway

Friday, September 11, 1998

Position vacancy list

Applicants must have career or career-conditional status. To apply, submit Form 443, Applica-
tion for Transfer, by next Friday, to the Employment and Placement Branch, Building 366, Ancon.
Persons selected for appointment to a permanent position or a testing-designated position will be
tested for illegal drug use prior to appointment or permanent position change.
For certain positions in one-grade interval series where there is no position in the normal line of
promotion, in-service employees qualify if they possess at least one year of specialized experience
at the second-lower level of the position.
For in-service actions other than promotions, modified qualifications will be used whenever an
applicant's background includes closely related experience providing the skills necessary for
successful performance.
Proof that applicant meets special requirements (such as swimming ability or possession of a civil
driver's license) must be filed in the Official Personnel Folder or added to Form 443.
Salaries reflect the minimum and maximum rates of pay for the grades of the advertised positions.
Those selected will be placed in the appropriate grade and step, in accordance with regulations.
Qualifications standards may be reviewed at the Panama Canal Commission Technical Resources
Center, Building 38, Balboa.
Further information may be obtained from the Employment and Placement Branch, at 272-3583.

Canal visitors Photo by Kevin Jenkins
More than 90 students and professors from the San Francisco de Asis school in Chiriqui
Province enjoy a visit to Miraflores Locks. During their tour, the students as well as the
teachers learned about the history and operations of the Panama Canal.

Take note

SThe U.S. Government Reutilization and Marketing Office will hold a sale
of excess items September 15, 16 and 17 at Building 745, Corozal. Those
interested may inspect the merchandise and make bids between 7:30 a.m. and
3 p.m. on those same dates. Catalogues will be available in the inspection area,
and minors will not be permitted to enter the area. For more information, call
Jose F.Gonzalez at 285-4754 or 285-5071.

Because of an increase in security measures in all U.S. government
installations around the world, employees and visitors are advised that more
stringent security measures have been implemented in the Administration
Building. As a result, all vehicles entering the area will be subject to search
procedures. Temporary barriers and traffic detours will continue until more
permanent arrangements can be made for secure parking.

Canal employees and dependents who wish to join the Atlantic side Canal
employee "conjunto tipico" can do so by calling Yolande McCollin at 443-8703
or 443-8704 or Gustavo Cuadra at 443-8833 or 443-8723.

Readers' opinions are important to the Spillway, and all suggestions and
comments are welcome. Communications may be sent by interoffice mail to the
Public Relations Division (AEP, Attention: Spillway editor), by electronic mail to
AEP-ED@pancanal.com or by phone by calling 272-3202.

Health plan association's governing

body seeks qualified candidates

Health Week activities Photo by Jaime Yau
Clinical Services Branch Manager Dr. Alfredo Pascal speaks during the inauguration of
Health Week activities. HeldAugust 31 through September 4, the even included a series of
conferences and sports activities aimed at increasing Canal employee consciousness about
the importance of keeping healthy and active.

Canal agency opens registration

for activities honoring Canal kids
All Canal employees are reminded that application forms for their dependents, ages
seven through 12 years old, to participate in the October 23 celebration of the "Day of the
Canal Child" will be accepted until September 25. For more information, call the Public
Relations Division at 272-3202.

Bring your children (7 through 12) to experience the Canal!

Name:
Age: School:
Name of parent who works
for the Canal:
Work unit:
Office telephone number:

On July 20, the governing body of the
Panama Canal Area Group Insurance Board
approved new bylaws that permit the former
organization to obtain its official recogni-
tion in Panama and continue to administer
the Panama Canal Area Benefit Plan after
December 31, 1999. The Group Insurance
Board also underwent a name change. From
now on, it will be called "The Association of
Employees and Retired personnel of the
Panama Canal and Military Bases." The
current elected and appointed members of
the governing body of the Group Insurance
Board will continue to govern the new orga-
nization until their term of office expires on
December 31, 1999. The preliminary elec-
tion of the association is scheduled for No-
vember this year, with the newly elected and
appointed directors taking office in January
1999.
The initial governing body will consist of
13 directors, two of whom will be selected
by the recognized retiree organizations. The
term of office for this initial governing body
will be two years beginning January 1, 1999.
Thereafter, the 13 association directors will
be elected from the general membership that
has been expanded to include retirees and
survivors of former employees and retirees
who have maintained their enrollment in the
Panama Canal Area Benefit Plan.
The Provisional Election Committee is

seeking nominations of responsible employ-
ees to serve on the governing body. Nomi-
nees must be active employees of a U.S.
government agency operating in the Repub-
lic of Panama, be members of the Panama
Canal Area Benefit Plan and be willing to
serve if elected. All nominations should be
in writing and include the name of the em-
ployee, identification number, position title,
place of employment, office telephone num-
ber and the employee's signed statement of
willingness to serve. The nomination must
be accompanied by a list of the printed name,
signature and identification number of at
least 200 members of the association. The
closing date for nominations is September
28, 1998.
Nominations should be sent to the Provi-
sional Election Committee in care of the
association, Retirement and Insurance
Branch (HROI), Building 287, Ancon. All
nominees meeting the requirements set forth
above will be recognized as official candi-
dates and placed on the ballot. The ballot
will be distributed to all employees who
belong to the Panama Canal Area Benefit
Plan in November, along with appropriate
instructions. The results should be an-
nounced early in December. The newly
elected directors of the governing body and
the appointees will take office in early Janu-
ary 1999.